'It's all part of the healing process': Saskatoon school divisions embrace practice of smudging

Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, said the process itself, which has been passed down through elders and knowledge keepers, is aims to provide both spiritual cleansing and opportunity to give thanks to the creator.

Morgan Modjeski, Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Updated: October 6, 2017

Darryl Isbister, public division's co-ordinator of the public division's First Nation, Inuit and Metis education unit, stands holding a bowl used in smudge ceremonies. Liam Richards / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Darryl Isbister says smudging is a practice that has been taking place in Saskatoon schools since he was working as a high-school teacher.

Now, years later, as the co-ordinator of the public division’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis education unit, he said 14 of the division’s schools have rooms specifically ventilated for the practice, but notes schools across the division will accommodate students and staff if they wish to participate in the spiritual ceremony.

“It’s just understanding the diverse needs of our students and recognizing those needs,” he said. “If you take a holistic look at our students, school is more than just academics. We need to do what we can to support our students in all aspects of their life. Be it physical, be it emotional, be it spiritual, be it intellectual. If we’re able to maintain a balance in all four of those components, we’re going to help our students.”

He said conversations around smudging usually start within the school community.

Once staff and students have found a suitable room or space within the school, they reach out to the division facilities department to determine the feasibility of transforming the space, noting he’s aware of the conversations taking place around smudging spaces at some of the division’s collegiate and elementary schools.

Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, said the process itself, which has been passed down through elders and knowledge keepers, is aims to provide both spiritual cleansing and opportunity to give thanks to the Creator.

He said the practice is important from both a spiritual and academic perspective.

“Any race, colour or religion, we all have our own prayers and our own belief systems,” he said. “When a public school … or any organization acknowledges that smudging protocol— the traditional smudging — it says to the child or the individual: ‘My belief system is being respected.’ ”

He said the smudging ceremony is an important part of the First Nation belief system, noting a daily prayer or smudge, is part of the journey people of all faiths embark on.

“That’s our journey together,” he said. “Praying everyday for family. For good health. For a long, happy, healthy life. For the future of our children.”

While more work needs to be done as part of the reconciliation to Canada’s First Nation peoples, he thanks the divisions for embracing the practice as it will have a positive effect on learning outcomes for First Nation students and division’s on a whole.

“It’s all part of that healing process,” he said. “Because some First Nation students … tend to be a little shy and they just need the extra incentive, or that extra little nudge, to say: ‘We’re all here together and we all want to succeed in school and succeed in life. And we honour and respect your customs, and beliefs and traditions.”

Gordon Martell, superintendent of education with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, said smudging ceremonies are beneficial in numerous ways.

He said while certain schools like St. Frances Cree Bilingual School and Oskayak High School regularly practice the ceremony, it’s also used as a teaching tool within the division, both from a reconciliation, cultural and religious perspective.

“The smudge is an opportunity to talk about the circle, to talk about equity to talk about prayer. So there’s many different reasons a smudge may be appropriate within the context of the school,” he said. Adding later: “All communities have something to contribute to the human family. There’s rich traditions in all cultures and our schools provide a great opportunity — and platform — to celebrate and exchange those ideas and practices.”

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